Top 5 Things to Do in Amsterdam

Planning a trip to Amsterdam? The compact city of Amsterdam is well worth a visit. Known as the greenest city in Europe, it is a blend of intriguing canals, history, and cafes that guarantee a splendid stay for everyone, no matter your style or tastes. As a European air transport hub there are plenty of cheap flights to Amsterdam, so there’s no excuse.

Here are the top 5 things to do:

Tour the City By Bike
There’s no better way to acclimate yourself to Amsterdam than by bike. Since the Dutch use bikes for a lot of their own transportation, you will probably feel like a bit klutzy as the resident’s whiz by. However, bike tours allow you to take in the city up-close and at your own pace. Bike rentals are plentiful and inexpensive.

Navigate the Canals
Another exciting choice is to do a canal cruise. There are many different types of boat tours to choose from. For example, some companies offer boats that are big and stylish. Others, such as the St. Nicholaas Boat Club, let you experience the scenery via small wooden boats in a more intimate and friendly manner.

Take in the Big Three
You can’t go to Amsterdam without seeing some of the world’s greatest museums. The Rijksmuseum houses the Dutch masters of the 15th–19th centuries and is a must-see for art aficionados. Later, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum offers a look at a collection that houses 200 paintings by the Dutch genius. For history buffs, don’t miss a tour of the Anne Frank House which encapsulates the story of Anne and her family as they hid from the Nazis during World War II. Even for the most stoic, it is an emotionally powerful experience.

See Spui Square
A side excursion to Spui Square is an off-the-beaten-path experience. On Saturdays the square devotes itself to book sales, something a collector or browser will enjoy. On Sundays, local artists present their work for sale. Who knows, you may buy a future Van Gogh for under £100!

Wander the Red Light District
Though perhaps not be the best choice for family tours, visiting the Red Light District will go down as an unforgettable experience. Despite displays of prostitutes and sex shops, the district also offers some historical sites worth seeing. Morals aside, there are not many cities in the world that manage so elegantly to intertwine the sensual with the cultural. Enjoy.Travelzoo have a great newsletter than offers cheap last minute deals to Amsterdam and beyond.

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One Response to “Top 5 Things to Do in Amsterdam”

Game Museum Amsterdam is the first permanent hands-on videogame museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
On different levels in this museum you’re about to experience the videogame history by playing on retro consoles from Atari, Sega, Nintendo and other systems that you probably remember from your childhood.

daan

February 1st, 2012 at 11:54 pmpermalink